MALAWI-JAPAN RELATIONS

Malawi – Japan relations date back to the time of independence in 1964. The establishment of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) offices in Malawi in 1964, and the opening of the Malawi Embassy in Tokyo in 1992 attest to the growing strength of bilateral relations between the two nations. The opening of the Japanese residential Embassy in 2008 in Lilongwe, is a clear indication that relations between the two countries continue to grow.

AREAS OF COOPERATION
Malawi receives Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Government of Japan in agriculture development, support to the One Village One Product (OVOP) project, education and culture, infrastructure development and balance of payments. Japan is the second largest bilateral donor to Malawi, according to the OECD report, 2008.

The Malawi-Japan aid talks are held annually to discuss and review on-going programmes and new proposals, which could be considered for future cooperation.

CONCLUSION
The relations between Malawi and Japan are very sound and mutually beneficial. Japan has taken a leading role in Africa's development as evidenced by the hosting of meetings under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) initiative. TICAD meetings are held every 5 years in Japan, with the objective of promoting high level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners.